The Robbery by Camp - OPTIONAL

The Robbery by Camp PICTURE BOOK Berbay Publishing, 2024. $19. 9781922610706 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Three thieves decide to dig a tunnel to rob a bank. They begin digging and come up in an orchestra, where Thief 3 plays the violin. They keep on digging and come up in a wrestling ring, where luckily they are all karate experts. They keep on digging coming up in different places. Will they ever make it to the treasure? 

I don't really enjoy books for children that are about hoping the characters will break the law.
The pictures and antics of the thieves are cute, but I wouldn't recommend it.

PGPowers

What's Inside a Bird's Nest by Rachel Ignotofsky - ESSENTIAL

What's Inside a Bird's Nest by Rachel Ignotofsky. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Crown (Random House), 2024. $20. 9780593176528 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3), EL - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO MANY 

Dive into all kinds of information about birds - lifecycles, species, different kinds of nests, and much more! 

Oh so darling! Ignotosfsky first fills a page with the cutest illustrations. Then she adds a bit of text as an explanation. THEN she adds little descriptors - so that if a little one points at a page and asks "what bird is that?" then you both will know the answer. So clever! Jam packed with a lot of info - so much that it isn't a read-aloud kind of book. But every page spread is worth the time it takes to enjoy it from the pictures to the information. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Animal Doctors by Libby Romero - OPTIONAL

 

Animal Doctors by Libby Romero, 48 pages. NON-FICTION EARLY READER (Level 1).

National Geographic Kids (Disney), 2023. $5. 9781426373640

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

This book describes what a veterinarian is and what they do. It then goes into the different types of vets, such as farm vets and ocean animal vets. The book also has a Your Turn section where children decide where different vets would treat different animals. The book has great color photographs, giving a great insight into the veterinarian world, which students will enjoy.

This is a Level 1 reader. If a child likes animals, they may enjoy the book. If you need some fresh early reader books, especially non-fiction, Romero’s is a solid choice.

Ready, Set, Dough by Kelly J. Baptist - ADVISABLE

Ready, Set, Dough by Kelly J. Baptist 165 pages. Crown, 2023. $17. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G; 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

When her teacher announces a cookie dough sale, 6th grader Zoe is desperate to win, because first prize is a brand-new laptop. Zoe desperately needs one, but her parents can’t afford it. She’s even willing to neglect her friends to achieve her goal.

I liked this book. Zoe is spunky and not afraid to go after what she wants. She is positive and happy, but she really wants to win. She has to win. It was good to read about a child who knew what they wanted and set out to get it. It does not specify

Ellen-Anita Librarian

Time For Bed! by Kathryn Jewitt and Danielle Mudd - ADVISABLE

Time For Bed! by Kathryn Jewitt, illustrated by Danielle Mudd. BOARD BOOK Abrams Appleseed, 2024. $9. 9781419769191  

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO SOME

The animals are getting ready to sleep and so should you.

The short rhyme to connect the book is cute.  I enjoyed rubbing my fingers across the felt cutouts on each page.  As an adult, I am worried that the edges, which are also felt, will get dirty quickly. I love touching those edges - but I need to give this to a toddler to see how it holds up.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Goat and the Stoat and the Boat by Em Lynas illustrated by Matt Hunt - ADVISABLE

The Goat and the Stoat and the Boat by Em Lynas illustrated by Matt Hunt. PICTURE BOOK Nosy Crow, 2024. $18. 9798887770529 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO MANY 

Stoat is very happy in the boat on the moat until Goat in his yellow coat jumps into the boat. Stoat and Goat argue and scuffle about who gets to be in the boat. The boat tips over because of their fighting. Goat can float, but Stoat can't float. Who will save Stoat? 

Lynas has crafted a clever and funny easy reader for kids. I also appreciated the very graphic and bright, colorful artwork. 

PGPowers 

What is the Story of Jurassic World by Jim Gigliotti and Dede Putra - OPTIONAL

What is the Story of Jurassic World by Jim Gigliotti illustrated by Dede Putra, 108 pages. CHAPTER BOOK NON-FICTION Penguin Workshop, 2023. $8. 9780593383483 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO SOME 

The author takes us into the story of the Jurassic World movies. He begins by providing background information on paleontology and the Jurassic Age. He mentions early books and exhibitions about dinosaurs. The rest of the book is a summary of each of the Jurassic Park/Jurassic World movies. I found it interesting that Michael Crichton found his inspiration for the Jurassic Park books from reading Arthur Conan Doyle's book, The Lost World. The background chapters were very interesting. The rest of the chapters, which summarized the movies, were less interesting. However, if you have a student who loves Jurassic World they will enjoy this book. The book includes a bibliography and timeline. 

A. Snow 

Lights Out: A Movement to Help Migrating Birds by Jessica Stremer, illustrated by Bonnie Pang - ADVISABLE

Lights Out: A Movement to Help Migrating Birds by Jessica Stremer, illustrated by Bonnie Pang. PICTURE BOOK Paula Wiseman (Simon and Schuster), 2024. $19. 9781665931977 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

As the sparrows start their migration, they lose their map of the stars because of all of the light pollution from the big city. One injured sparrow even gets left behind. If the big buildings would turn off their lights at night, the migration would be much smoother. 

Without lecturing, Stremer helps anyone see the small things and big things to be done to aid migrating birds. The pictures are charming. The main character is Black. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Team Trash by Kate Wheeler and Trent Hungtington - ADVISABLE

Team Trash by Kate Wheeler and Trent Hungtington. 77 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Holiday House, 2023. $23. 9780823452279 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

Charlie and Oliver are working on their science fair project when an accident lands them in a time traveling machine. They travel back to different times and places learning about how people used to reuse, reduce and recycle. Once they have gathered enough information, the machine brings them back home. They use their new knowledge to finish their science fair project and start an environmentalist club. 

A graphic novel that teaches about recycling and presents sustainability tips in an accessible and fun way. 

A. Snow

No. 5 Bubblegum Street by Mikolaj Pa illustrated by Gosia Herba - OPTIONAL

No. 5 Bubblegum Street by Mikolaj Pa illustrated by Gosia Herba. PICTURE BOOK Greystone Kids, 2024. $19. 9781778400629

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO SOME 

The apartment building at No.5 Bubblegum Street at 5:00 p.m. has a lot going on. There are busy tenants on every floor. Mouse is looking for his hat, monkeys are baking a cake, Owl is flying around, Cat is listening to and recording bird songs, Panther is taking care of his house plants from around the world, the spider family is playing musical instruments, Hippo is sleeping, and much more. They are all preparing for something exciting that happens at 6:00 p.m. 

I enjoyed learning about all the different animals that live in the apartment building and their different talents. I also liked them coming together and having a party where everyone belonged. The illustrations are cute, colorful and full of life. 

PGPowers 

Yellow Pop by Aurore Petit - ADVISABLE

Yellow Pop by Aurore Petit. PICTURE BOOK Abrams Appleseed, 2024 $9. 9781419773457 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

Petit's six pop-ups give vivid examples of the color yellow. Bright and simple - a small package with charm for color exploration. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Basketball Dreams by Chris Paul and Courtney Lovett - ESSENTIAL

Basketball Dreams by Chris Paul illustrated by Courtney Lovett PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Roaring Book Press, 2023. $19. 9781250810038

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO AVERAGE 

Chris Paul was a young boy who loved basketball. But more than basketball, he loved his Papa Chilly. Chris shows us how his grandpa's example of living a life focused on caring about others helped him become successful. Chris loves basketball, but he understands that loving your family, friends, and community is more important. 

I love that "Basketball Dreams" is not about how Chris worked to become great, but how Papa Chilly taught him through example what true greatness is. Children will understand that achieving our dreams is easier when we have family supporting us. Chris Paul and his family are African Americans. Most of the characters are also African American in their home community in North Carolina. 

J. Smith, Teacher Librarian